For generations, German Americans have contributed to our Nation's
identity, culture, and prosperity. On German-American Day, we recognize
the many Americans with German ancestry who helped make our country great,
and we celebrate our strong friendship with Germany.

The people of Germany and the United States share important family and
cultural ties, and millions of American citizens are of German descent.
Some of their forebears were among the first to settle Jamestown, and they
and many others like them helped lay the foundation for our country, which
has become the most prominent symbol of freedom in the world. Many German
Americans have shaped our way of life and added to our country's rich
heritage.

In celebrating German-American Day, we honor generations of German
Americans who came to our shores with dreams of opportunity and contributed
to the greatness of our country.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim October 6, 2008, as
German-American Day. I encourage all Americans to celebrate the many
contributions German Americans have made to our Nation's liberty and
prosperity.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of October,
in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the
United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.